Intellivision crashing after a few minutes...Remedies?

[Blackwolf]

Here's the deal...I grew up with an Intellivision so I'm partial to that system...But my old one broke and is really in bad shape (as in, it makes noises when I pick it up, cuz some of the electronics inside are loose.) So I got a good deal on eBay for a used one that actually worked, hooray! (Also got an Atari 2600 from the same guy, good deal...Wish I knew the early units didn't let ya change the channel it broadcasted on though.)

 

Anyway, the Intellivision I got DOES work, but it won't work for LONG. It depends on the game - some games crash after about 5 seconds, others take several minutes. But I always get a blue screen flash and then blackness...Hitting reset works fine.

 

Is this a result of the games or the system? I have some duplicate games (such as NFL Football) where one cartridge crashes on the first play, and the other one crashes when you reach the 50 yard line. Kinda frustrating, considering the 2600 works flawlessly. :/ Any remedies, or is it just a flaw with the system itself and should I get back on the lookout for one?

[Susuwatari]

The obvious: have you tried cleaning the contacts on the cart andf the Inty's connector?

[Blackwolf]

I've blown compressed air in, yes. I haven't tried anything more than just that, though...

 

...I feel like I've just had a "stupid n00b moment".

[+-^CrossBow^-]

No it isn't a stupid Noob moment as you put it. It could be the thing is overheating. I don't know why some games would do it more than others...but the fact that some will stay up for a few minutes and then crap out sounds like it could be a heat issue. Also I assume you are using just mattel intellivision games? I ask because if your using Imagic or other 3rd parth games...many of those would bypass the EXEC chip on the Intelly and thereby begin to play but then could have other problems if the actual Exec chip is bad.

 

Just some thoughts. I actually had something similar happen with one. It fired up just fine until I stuck an Astrosmash cart in it. Then it came up to just the title, and the blacked out upon starting a game. It did this everytime. All other games seemed to work okay. Then once it actually got past that point and I played a decent round of Astrosmash. Then I turned it off.

 

That intellivision hasn't played a single cart since and only gives me a solid black screen. Ironically enough..that same Astrosmash cart...is now also dead and will no longer load up on any of my spare working Intellivision systems. I have no idea what happened...but at least that Intelly went out one last time in a blaze of glory..and all that.

 

[jsoper]

I've had bad luck with intv-1s (the big ones) dying, but my intv-2 seems solid.

BTW, an intv1 brings 120v into the console, so if you have one with loose parts, be very

careful not to plug it in, could be a fire danger.

[holygrailvideogames.com]

I have an extra Intellivision II on the way. If you are intersted in buying it, let me know.

[chrisbid]

what kindof surface are you laying it on?

 

dont lay it on a surface like carpet that will insulate the console and allow it overheat faster. put it on a flat surface like wood or plastic to keep it cool.

[Artlover]

I have an Intelivision (original style), but actually haven't played it for more then 20 minutes at a time. I have heard that they are prone to over-heating.

 

Personaly, when I get time, I plan on opening mine up and seeing if there is enought space to put a few heatsinks and maybe a small fans in it.

[Blackwolf]

Most of the games I am playing are Mattel games, but they all have the same results. (In fact, the one Imagic game I have, Safecracker, locks up immediately after the main game screen comes up.)

 

It's an Intv-1 laying on a flat coffee table - and no I haven't dared plug in the one I grew up with that's rattling...It's in pretty bad shape on the outside too (cosmetic wise.)

 

The only thing that absolutely positively doesn't work on it is my old Intellivoice. It just crackles and pops and stuff and won't load up the cartridge that's plugged into it, but I'm betting that's more my old Intellivoice rather than the system or the game.

 

I'll see what I can do about blowing a big-ass fan on the unit and see if it lasts longer. Even if it doesn't work (I'm not expecting it to) it'll look funny and I'll laugh.